Leading up to the welterweight championship match between pound-for-pound boxing king Floyd Mayweather and hard-hitting British challenger Ricky Hatton — to be carried live from Las Vegas Saturday, Dec. 8 on HBO Pay-Per-View — HBO Sports presents the exclusive four-episode, all-access series MAYWEATHER/HATTON 24/7 in the weeks before the showdown.

            The first half-hour episode of MAYWEATHER/HATTON 24/7 debuts SUNDAY, NOV. 18 (10:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT), with two more episodes debuting on subsequent Sundays – NOV. 25 and DEC. 2 – at the same time, while the finale debuts THURSDAY, DEC. 6 (10:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT), just two days before the bout.

            HBO Sports will provide exclusive behind-the-scenes access, along with in-depth interviews, as undefeated welterweights Floyd Mayweather (38-0, 24 KOs), 30, from Grand Rapids, Mich., and Ricky Hatton (43-0, 31 KOs), 28, hailing from Manchester, England, prepare for one of the most highly anticipated match-ups in recent memory.  A champ in five weight classes, Mayweather is defending his 147-pound crown against one of the sport’s most exciting international stars, as junior welterweight champion Hatton moves up in weight for the second time as a pro.

            HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg says, “In addition to this being the most anticipated welterweight title fight since Oscar De La Hoya squared off with Felix Trinidad in 1999, these are two of the sport’s most engaging and colorful personalities.  We were thrilled with the launch of the ‘24/7’ franchise last spring [‘De La Hoya/Mayweather 24/7’] and believe we have found the ideal sequel.”

            Continues Greenburg, “The contrasts between the cities of Las Vegas [Mayweather’s base] and Manchester [where Hatton will open camp] will be a terrific jumping off point for the series.  We truly appreciate the commitment and cooperation of the fighters and their teams with this ambitious project.”

            Known as “Pretty Boy Floyd,” Mayweather was a bronze medalist at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, and has appeared 21 times on HBO since turning pro.  His win over Oscar De La Hoya last May confirmed his preeminent standing in the sport.  Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton is fighting for the seventh time in the States, making his last three appearances on HBO.

            MAYWEATHER/HATTON 24/7 follows the runaway hit “De La Hoya/Mayweather 24/7,” which premiered last April on HBO, inspiring Newsweek to write, “ ‘De La Hoya/Mayweather 24/7’ is an engrossing look at both a boxing match and a personal circus, and fans of human drama will want to have a ringside seat.”  ESPN The Magazine proclaimed the series “a masterfully entertaining reality show,” while the New York Daily News called it “compelling television.”  Slate.com observed, “ ‘24/7’ offers fantastic access to the two fighters as they train, hang out at home, and taunt each other on the publicity trail.”

            On Saturday, Dec. 8, at 9:00 p.m. (ET)/6:00 p.m. (PT), HBO Pay-Per-View presents the welterweight championship match “Mayweather vs. Hatton,” live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

            The executive producers of MAYWEATHER/HATTON 24/7 are Ross Greenburg and Rick Bernstein; coordinating producer, Dave Harmon: producers, Jason Hehir and Scott Boggins.